For those who don’t know him: Van Hechter has become somewhat of an underground icon these past few years- regularly providing fans with stylized, jumpy & intelligent songs (often funny but also critical of our times). His dress sense and aesthetics are modern yet belong to another era: the golden age of cinema has been evoked several times… He wears suits, silk or sequin pocket squares, and high-end Chelsea boots. His hair & face always look polished, like he’s come straight out of a magazine. As for his entertainment skills, he is the true deal, not limiting himself to simple singing: he teases audiences, talks to spectators, does anything for a giggle. I fell in love with his universe and hope you will too…
Van, happy belated birthday! I’m calling you from Brooklyn- you’re in Montreal right now, right?
Yes, I am- gorgeous Montreal day, too! And thank you for the wish. What would you like to talk about? Shoot! I’m up for anything, totally yours for the next hour!
What was your nicest birthday gift?
3 of my favorite gifts, this year: our song (I always include the producer Eryck Wyseman when talking about a track) ”No Answer’s Not An Answer” was ranked #1, I have my health (meaning I have more energy than is normal for my age), and 2 Florida friends serenated me on the phone (it was funny and goofy and lovely). Of course, I appreciate all wishes, but the phone song was very surprising and put a huge smile on my face.
Tell us about your next releases.
We will be releasing a song called “Boy Problems” in October. It has French bits in it and speaks about open relationships, how sometimes “open” doesn’t mean the same for both parties. It’s a very emotional track, quite sad. It was supposed to be a duet with one person, then another… Finally, I decided to rewrite it and do both parts myself. As for the title, I used my favorite Jon Waters film for inspiration: “Female Trouble”- hence “Boy Problems”.
Towards the end of 2025, a new pop track will come out called “Time To Feel Good”… I wanted the follow-up to be really joyous.
Then, for early 2026, Eryck and I are working on a really funny upbeat club track. I won’t reveal the title because I want it to be a surprise. It’s about my Saturday nights at Orage in Montreal, as a resident entertainer, how I end up dancing totally unbuttoned with the ladies after my number.
As of October, NYC will be seeing you monthly for 12 straight months! How do you feel about that? What’s your relationship with New Yorkers?
That’s very exciting, and also, I’m pretty sure sometimes I’ll feel exhausted, but who cares? Chauncey Dandridge hired me once a month to play at Stonewall Inn… How the hell could I refuse such an offer? I can’t say no to my ”Disco Brother”, plus playing at that venue is always a huge honor!
I’ll be flying in for shows, then quickly back to Montreal for regular Orage nights (Thursday & Saturday).
I feel blessed, since you ask. My relationship with New Yorkers?? I said it numerous times: NYC gave me a career! Nobody was listening to my music until a few Big Apple weirdos started following me! Something else I’ve already said: in Manhattan, I always get treated like a prince- I don’t know why. It’s just a great fit. At first, I wasn’t even doing shows; I’d just show up in nightclubs, hand out cards, and my number of fans would get higher.
Van Hechter links:
https://www.youtube.com/@VanHechter
https://www.instagram.com/vanhechter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMuxFmSGNes
